Jc. Bhatia et J. Cleland, Health-care seeking and expenditure by young Indian mothers in the public and private sectors, HEAL POL PL, 16(1), 2001, pp. 55-61
A total of 421 young married mothers in Karnataka State, India, were follow
ed up at monthly intervals for 1 year. Results are presented on self-report
ed morbidity, treatment-seeking behaviour and health expenditures. A total
of 911 completed illness episodes were reported, of which 58% resulted in c
onsultations with practitioners, mostly working in the private sector. Amon
gst those who did consult physicians, an average of 1.76 visits was made pe
r episode. The average cost per visit was 46 Rupees and 38 Rupees, for priv
ate and public-sector consultations respectively. The overall mean annual e
xpenditure on treatment and associated costs for the entire sample was 172
Rupees, of which 104 Rupees was spent on private-sector treatment. Poorer w
omen reported significantly more days of morbidity than richer women but sp
ent significantly less per 100 days of illness.